PLANS to carve a bypass through Wirral countryside have sparked a new row among residents and environmentalists.

The controversial Saughall Massie bypass was originally conceived nine years ago but the £1m needed to begin work has only just been made available by the government.

It aims to ease traffic flow in Saughall Massie village, one of Wirral's key conservation areas, by diverting motorists along nearby Saughall Massie Road and will be completed in time for the 2006 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club.

Traffic from the M53 to West Kirby and Meols has increased steadily over the past 30 years since the building of the Wallasey Tunnel and M53.

Wirral Council says the bypass will reduce congestion in a number of key locations - including the conservation area of Saughall Massie village and Moreton.

But those living nearby worry that the bypass will only add to their traffic woes.

Father of three David Williams, who lives on Saughall Massie Road, said: "The prime concern for us is safety.

"We know there is no way of stopping the bypass being built, the campaign is now focusing on ensuring safety concerns are addressed in the blueprints." When the road was initially planned, in 1994, more than 1,000 people opposed the scheme.

Mr Williams, a civil servant, who has lived on Saughall Massie Road for 16 years, added: "The borough engineer at the time said he would look favourably at our worries.

"We hope that promise is kept." Director of highways at Wirral Council, Dave Green, said the improvements are part of a package of measures designed to improve accessibility across Wirral.

He added: "We want to work with residents to address any traffic concerns about the scheme.

"When it is open we will carefully be monitoring its impact and asking for residents and motorists to give us their feedback on how the scheme is working."

The rural lanes, which the bypass is to replace, are currently derestricted with a 60mph speed limit, but the new road will have restrictions of 40 mph reducing to 30 mph as drivers approach Saughall Massie Road.

Work is expected to start early in 2004 and will take eight months to complete.